Russell H. Olson Sr., 72, of 2708 Arthur Ave., died of a respiratory ailment Sunday at home.  Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mark''s Episcopal Church, where he was a member.  Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Mr. Olson was a lifelong Des Moines resident.  An Army veteran of World War II, he retired in 1980 as foreman of the mailroom at The Des Moines Register and Tribune.  He was a member of Daylight Masonic Lodge and of The Register''s 20-Year Club.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; a son, Russell Jr. of Orlando, Fla.; two daughters, Norma Stoll of Peosta and Carol Lortscher of Des Moines; and eight grandchildren.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at Iles Grandview Park Funeral Home, where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m.  Memorial contributions may be made to his church of to Hospice of Central Iowa.